4-Hydroxyretinoic acid is an NADPH-dependent hydroxylation metabolite of retinoic acid in the microsomes, via the cytochrome P-450 system. Retinoic acid is an activated metabolite of retinol that supports the systemic functions of vitamin A in vivo. (PMID: 1538719 , 1932598 , 2851384 ).

This compound belongs to the class of chemical entities known as retinoids. These are oxygenated derivatives of 3,7-dimethyl-1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl)nona-1,3,5,7-tetraene and derivatives thereof.